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Got a Minute with Angela Cairnes

Operator of Casper's Cove nonprofit horseback riding program

Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 6:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 6:47 a.m.

Angela Cairnes, 46, had an epiphany after her mother passed away from cancer. Life is short, and it is up to her to make it count.

The avid animal lover, who owns several rescued pets and four horses, operates Casper's Cove, a nonprofit horseback riding program for economically disadvantaged and underprivileged children. She has witnessed firsthand how horses can help children overcome obstacles. And, as a real estate agent for the past 10 years, she has seen the throes of a stagnant economy play hacky-sack with the American dream.

Are you from Hendersonville?

Yes. I've lived here all my life, except when I first graduated from college and I took a job in pharmaceutical sales and had to move to Augusta, Ga. That was the longest year-and-a-half of my life. It was so hot ... Every day, I look at the mountains and I feel so fortunate to live here.

When did you get your first horse?

My mom took me riding when I was like 3 years old. She took me and two of my older sisters. I'm the youngest of five. After that, I begged every day for a horse until I was 9. And then Mom got me a pony, and I've had horses ever since.

Do you ride competitively?

I used to. I did competitive trail for nine years. I would travel throughout the Southeast doing competitions.

Tell us about Casper's Cove.

About six years ago, I started the nonprofi t. I read this book by Kim Meeder, it's called “Hope Rising.” It was about something she did in Big Bend, Oregon. The book talks about Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, a nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected horses, and pairs them with children, many of whom are considered “atrisk youth.”

I prayed about starting a nonprofit of my own here for about three years. This year will be six years with the nonprofit. I had more horses, but it's just been really hard trying to support that with the economy. It's just run on donations. But kids come and ride for free if they're economically disadvantaged and troubled kids. I'll have them come from DSS or a counseling agency or the Boys & Girls Club and foster kids.

Did reading the book inspire you to open Casper's Cove?

It did, and it's been a lot of work. But it's been really neat to see the benefit the kids have had. Horses really helped me a lot growing up, just with self-confidence. It also helps you physically because you use all your muscles riding a horse. It can really help kids, so that's why I started doing that.

How long have you been in real estate, and what do you like about your job?

Ten years. I think I like being able to find just that perfect home that people are looking for. I also love when somebody has a house that they've been trying to sell for a long time, and I can figure out what it needs in the market to be able to sell it.

What is the hardest part of your job?

Having to rely on everybody else, because I could do my job perfectly and something else could mess up. So many things can fall through. Now, in this market, the biggest deal is you get a contract and then the place doesn't appraise. My job depends on about nine or 10 other people's jobs for me to ever get a paycheck.

What made you get into real estate?

I had been in the pharmaceutical business for 10 years, and I felt like I wanted a more balanced life because that was just kind of a life-consuming profession. My mom was very sick with cancer, and I wanted time to be able to spend with her. After she passed away, I thought there's more to life than working.

How has the recent economy affected

your work?

It's been tough for the last couple of years. You know, we've had this huge influx of foreclosures, so it's affected prices and everything else, but it's drastically affected my job because with foreclosures you just have tons and tons of paperwork.

But there are some good deals out there right now with foreclosures, and a lot of people are starting to buy the foreclosures up and renting them. Investors are buying them, as well as first-time homeowners; they're getting good deals.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I love horseback riding and camping. I like to hike. Just about anything, if it's outdoors, I love it.

Who has been a great influence in your life?

There have been a lot of people, but my mom really inspired me. She was really a hard worker and honest, and she was so loving and caring. She'd take us kids everywhere. Her legacy inspires me to be a good mother (to her nearly 4-year-old adopted son). I take him everywhere. I took him on a wagon train. He got to ride in a wagon, and he loved it.

He would look out the window, and I'd be riding a horse beside it. He said, “That's my momma!”

Is there anything that has helped shape you more than others?

“When my mom got sick and died, it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Both of my parents have passed away. And my niece, who's just 27 years old, almost died last year. She's doing better now. She had to have a transplant.

But all of those things just make you realize you're not going to be here forever, and it makes you realize that you need to really get right with God and just balance your life and have time for everything. Don't wait until you retire to do the fun things. Go ahead and do it now.

<p>Angela Cairnes, 46, had an epiphany after her mother passed away from cancer. Life is short, and it is up to her to make it count.</p><p>The avid animal lover, who owns several rescued pets and four horses, operates Casper's Cove, a nonprofit horseback riding program for economically disadvantaged and underprivileged children. She has witnessed firsthand how horses can help children overcome obstacles. And, as a real estate agent for the past 10 years, she has seen the throes of a stagnant economy play hacky-sack with the American dream.</p><p>Are you from Hendersonville?</p><p>Yes. I've lived here all my life, except when I first graduated from college and I took a job in pharmaceutical sales and had to move to Augusta, Ga. That was the longest year-and-a-half of my life. It was so hot ... Every day, I look at the mountains and I feel so fortunate to live here.</p><p>When did you get your first horse?</p><p>My mom took me riding when I was like 3 years old. She took me and two of my older sisters. I'm the youngest of five. After that, I begged every day for a horse until I was 9. And then Mom got me a pony, and I've had horses ever since.</p><p>Do you ride competitively?</p><p>I used to. I did competitive trail for nine years. I would travel throughout the Southeast doing competitions.</p><p>Tell us about Casper's Cove.</p><p>About six years ago, I started the nonprofi t. I read this book by Kim Meeder, it's called “Hope Rising.” It was about something she did in Big Bend, Oregon. The book talks about Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, a nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected horses, and pairs them with children, many of whom are considered “atrisk youth.”</p><p>I prayed about starting a nonprofit of my own here for about three years. This year will be six years with the nonprofit. I had more horses, but it's just been really hard trying to support that with the economy. It's just run on donations. But kids come and ride for free if they're economically disadvantaged and troubled kids. I'll have them come from DSS or a counseling agency or the Boys & Girls Club and foster kids.</p><p>Did reading the book inspire you to open Casper's Cove?</p><p>It did, and it's been a lot of work. But it's been really neat to see the benefit the kids have had. Horses really helped me a lot growing up, just with self-confidence. It also helps you physically because you use all your muscles riding a horse. It can really help kids, so that's why I started doing that.</p><p>How long have you been in real estate, and what do you like about your job?</p><p>Ten years. I think I like being able to find just that perfect home that people are looking for. I also love when somebody has a house that they've been trying to sell for a long time, and I can figure out what it needs in the market to be able to sell it.</p><p>What is the hardest part of your job?</p><p>Having to rely on everybody else, because I could do my job perfectly and something else could mess up. So many things can fall through. Now, in this market, the biggest deal is you get a contract and then the place doesn't appraise. My job depends on about nine or 10 other people's jobs for me to ever get a paycheck.</p><p>What made you get into real estate?</p><p>I had been in the pharmaceutical business for 10 years, and I felt like I wanted a more balanced life because that was just kind of a life-consuming profession. My mom was very sick with cancer, and I wanted time to be able to spend with her. After she passed away, I thought there's more to life than working.</p><p>How has the recent economy affected</p><p>your work?</p><p>It's been tough for the last couple of years. You know, we've had this huge influx of foreclosures, so it's affected prices and everything else, but it's drastically affected my job because with foreclosures you just have tons and tons of paperwork.</p><p>But there are some good deals out there right now with foreclosures, and a lot of people are starting to buy the foreclosures up and renting them. Investors are buying them, as well as first-time homeowners; they're getting good deals.</p><p>What are your hobbies outside of work?</p><p>I love horseback riding and camping. I like to hike. Just about anything, if it's outdoors, I love it.</p><p>Who has been a great influence in your life?</p><p>There have been a lot of people, but my mom really inspired me. She was really a hard worker and honest, and she was so loving and caring. She'd take us kids everywhere. Her legacy inspires me to be a good mother (to her nearly 4-year-old adopted son). I take him everywhere. I took him on a wagon train. He got to ride in a wagon, and he loved it.</p><p>He would look out the window, and I'd be riding a horse beside it. He said, “That's my momma!”</p><p>Is there anything that has helped shape you more than others?</p><p>“When my mom got sick and died, it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Both of my parents have passed away. And my niece, who's just 27 years old, almost died last year. She's doing better now. She had to have a transplant.</p><p>But all of those things just make you realize you're not going to be here forever, and it makes you realize that you need to really get right with God and just balance your life and have time for everything. Don't wait until you retire to do the fun things. Go ahead and do it now.</p>